Embodiment of virtual water of power generation in the electric power system in China

• A virtual scarce water method is proposed to investigate the electricity power systems.
• Virtual scarce water is transferred via power transmission system.
• Virtual water flows from inland areas to coastal areas in the power system of China.

Increasing severe water deficiency has led to an urgent need for better water resource management, especially in China. Electric power systems have been recognized as large water consumers; therefore, comprehensive analysis of their water use is needed. This study aims to analyze the flux and direction of virtual water and virtual scarce water within power system based on transmission–consumption water intensity (TCWI). A case study is then conducted to investigate China’s electric power system. The results show that including the water stress index (WSI) and virtual scarce flow concept largely influences the analysis of interregional virtual water flows. Regardless the WSIs, there are four regions exporting virtual water (northeast, north, northwest and central) and two regions exporting virtual scarce water (east and south). While considering the virtual scarce water, the central region becomes a big exporter with 144.12 GL of virtual scarce water outflow. In addition, the virtual water and virtual scarce water flux among these six regions reaches 726 GL and 163 GL, respectively. The electric transmission system transfers virtual scarce water from inland areas to coastal areas, which is roughly the opposite of the distribution of China’s water resources. The virtual water analysis incorporating the water scarcity not only largely increases the effectiveness of the results, but also provides more valuable and accurate information for water-efficient management and planning in electric power system.